Retaining device for sponges



Filed Sept 1m s o M m Mm m r 5 h v n. M M.

Patented Sept. 23 1952 UNKTED STATES PATENT OFFICE RETAINING DEVICE FOR SPONGES Nicholas Elia Kampouris, Gary, Ind.

Application September 24, 1947, Serial No. 775,913

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a retaining device for engaging portions of large sponges.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a retaining device whereby a plurality of sponges can be retained and can be assembled into a large sponge device serving as a mop for scrubbing and cleaning surfaces.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a sponge device which is of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture, convenient to use and efiicient in operation.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the sponge device embodying the features of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of my sponge device,

Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the sponge device taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the sponge portions before it has been assembled upon the retaining device,

Fig. 5 is a depending plan view of the fastening clip for the securing of the sponge portion to the retainer base,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the retainer base illustrating the manner in which the clip fastenin portions are made secure to the top surface of the retaining base,

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through one of the holes of the base in which the clip is inserted.

Referring now to the figures, I0 represents a retaining base having a plurality of tapered holes ll extending therethrough. These holes are adapted to receive a bendable metal clip strip 12 when it has been folded about a sponge portion I3 and shaped to be inserted into the hole ll. After the clip is in the hole I I it can be secured against a downward displacement by soldering over wings or retaining portions l4 so that they engage with the top face of the retaining base. By virtue of the clip 12 being of conical formation it is held against upward displacement within the base 10. The clip 12 is made of metal and has inwardly struck barbs l6 for engagement with the sponge to retain the same.

When a large number of these sponge portions 13 are assembled on the base [0 a large area sponge device is obtained.

A handle bracket I1 is secured to the top of base 10 by screws l8 and is adapted to receive a handle 21 which is made secure therein by a pin or screw 22.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

I claim:

A multiple sponge device comprising a retaining base with tapered holes extending upwardly therethrough, said holes having a larger diameter at the bottom than at the top thereof, inwardly rolled sponge portion-s, a bendable clip strip fitted around one end of each of said sponge portions and inserted into the tapered holes, each clip having barbs struck inwardly and projected upwardly from the clip to enter the sponge portion to prevent the removal of the sponge portion from the clip, each clip being of tapered conical formation to prevent upward movement of the clip in the hole, projections extendin from the clip at the upper edge thereof and said projections folded downwardly onto the top face of the retaining base to prevent the clip and sponge portion from dropping out of said holes.

NICHOLAS ELIA KAMPOURIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 502,513 Giesecke Aug. 1, 1893 981,638 Harins Jan. 17, 1911 1,459,152 Graham June 19, 1923 2,385,490 Bernheim Sept. 25, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 5,708 Norway Apr. 14, 1897 348,750 Italy May 31, 1937 546,207 France Nov. 3, 1922 

